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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Colours of Summer

In addition to enjoying indoor vintage urban design in the home, I absolutely adore the outdoor designs created by nature. Come join me on my many summer journeys.

The Amazonian Zebra plant is a gorgeous bromeliad in the yard or in nature.

Bromeliads placed on a large tree branch are a fun way to grow them in the yard. There are over 5000 species of bromeliads and I love the variety of colour. I have to admit though, my favorite bromeliad is the pineapple.

My quest for beautiful colours of summer takes me to many wonderful places during this time. One of my favorite hangouts is Everglades National Park. This Cabbage Palm, also known as the Sabal Palm, is the official state tree for the state of Florida. I found this beauty as I was hiking through a wonderful tropical hammock a few days ago.

Although I am not crazy about cactus, I find this one in particular fascinating and is my absolute favorite. This lovely fellow resides in Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas, which is located about 70 miles west of Key West. I imagine a bird leaving the seedling on the island as it was in transit. The seed grew into this beauty that grows along the walls of this amazing fort.

During my summer hikes I found this beautiful button bush blooms. The blooms look like wonderful pen cushions.

After a trip to Maui, I told my husband that gingers were a must in our garden. I think they are quite romantic.

Cycads are one of the most ancient of plants on planet Earth. These hardy fellows were around during the days of the dinosaurs. I love them because they are extremely hardy and resist most pests and diseases.

The scientist in me allows the princess in me to venture out and hike in the swamps of Big Cypress Natural Preserve. I am absolutely fascinated by these cypress knees. Cypress knees is a term used to describe these structures that form near the base of beautiful cypress trees. Although their true function is unknown it is thought that perhaps their structure is used to oxygenate the roots of the large cypress trees.

Viewing these majestic cypress trees are well worth the fight through the mosquitoes and sweltering heat.

Some times hanging out in nature yields wonderful design ideas. These epiphytes were perfectly arranged on this large branch and adds just the right amount of texture. I think I will do the same in my yard.

Nature has a way of adding just the right colour for the garden. This inflorescence looked wonderful in a national park so I figured it would be a perfect fit in the yard. I love being inspired by nature. Don't you?

Although the air plant to the tree is fascinating my love is for the whitish, green patches on the tree. It's actually not a part of the bark at all. These are lichen which is a combination of fungi and algae. It natures own graffiti of color.

The central part of the state of Florida is known for it's majestic live oaks. My favorite part of these gorgeous trees are the moss that swing gently in the summer breeze.

Heliconias come in up to 200 species and all of them are just gorgeous. The colours vary like the rainbow and their structures are natures perfect design.

This mangrove is one of many that belong to the 10,000 Islands of South Florida's west coast.

Even some of the insects of summer add wonderful colour to a garden. This Milkweed bug dines on the blooms of the Milkweed plant.

I enjoy the beautiful orchids found in the wild that I encounter on my weekly summer hikes. Warm humid environments are the perfect place for these beauties to thrive. I also enjoy them in a private garden. There are so many beautiful varieties, you can never become bored of them.

Staghorns are the king of the garden and are my favorite fern. They are so strong and appear to be quite regal in the garden and in the wild. They aren't very picky, they will grow on a tree or a rock.

This beauty is my favorite lily. The alligator lily is also known as the spider lily. Although I cannot grow them in my yard, I can visit them in their own habitat which is in the outer edges of cypress swamps. When this fragrant flower blooms, I know summer is here.

What is your favorite summer flower, bush, or tree and where do you find it?

xoxoxo

Paula

Thank you all for participating in our"What's It Wednesday"linky party!

Don't forget to grab a feature button.

Thank you all for all that you do to inspire others!

I know I am inspired each and every week by each and every one of you.

Here are this week's WONDERFUL features

This vintage tub over at Chateau Chic is the perfect addition to any garden.

Those button bush blooms are so cool. I've never seen those before, as are the orchids that dangled down. Very beautiful. Thanks for sharing the view from your hikes. You are a trooper to head out in the heat and amongst the bugs. Thanks for hosting another fun party too!Liz

Beautiful pictures of tropical plants! I love the picture of the oaks with moss hanging from it...how majestic! And the cactus growing against the wall is stunning! Gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing and for the party. Hugs,Poppy

Those are all beautiful plants. I didn't know staghorn ferns grew on rocks and trees. I always learn something here. Thanks so much for the feature, its an honor to be in such great company. Thanks for hosting!

Oh my goodness Paula!... these are all so stunning!... I love each and every one of them... I have a cypress knee my grandmother gave me years ago from a trip to the south... I put it out when she gave it to me so many years ago, and it has stayed in our home ever since... I had not heard of many of the beauties you have shown, thanks for sharing... you truly live in a most enchanted place, close to so many beautiful spots in Nature... xoxo Julie Marie (Hello Patti!)

Paula, I have family in Florida.And when visiting I always enjoying all those beautiful tropical plants.I love all those palms and that moss tree is simply gorgeous!Thank you for hosting.Have a great day!(((Hugs)))Anne

Hi Paula,Saw your blog on someone elses blogand decided to check you out, and sawyou had a linky party going on so decided to join you for the first time.Loved your post cause I just am incredibly fascinated by God's beautyin creation, lovely, lovely pictures.Blessings,Nellie

Hi Paula,this is a great collection of exotic plants photos. Love to see them all. They really means summer for me. Thank you for sharing them and for hosting this event.Greetings to you and Patti, Johanna

Thank you for inviting me to your party. From my blog you can tell I love gardens and plants so I don't need to tell you how much I enjoyed this post and I wanted to say thank you. I did finally join the party, I am late but it has been a crazy few days....good, but crazy busy.

Well, dear Paula, we certainly do not have these exotic beauties in MN, but I love visiting the conservatory and tropical gardens!I love the Spanish moss...and all of the fascinating, diverse species. The bright colors! wow...How amazing, stunning, magical nature is....Thank you so much for this inspirational tour!Blessings,- Irina

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such wonderful comments! Also it is an honor to be asked to link up to your party...so thanks so much for that! I just linked up...and now must go check out what everyone else is up to!Sharon

I love your pictures, thank you so much for inviting me over! Just linked up and thank you for hosting :) My favorite flowers....I live in Washington State and the hydrangeas are amazing here. Hugs, Tanya :)

The Ladies of Ivy and Elephants

We are Moms, dreamers, visionaries, and creators. Our love for all things vintage and Victorian is evident throughout our homes. We are passionate about our families, friends, food, and fabulous finds. We are Ivy & Elephants.